CENSUS AND ELECTORAL SEATS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2977, 15 January 1917, Page 4

CENSUS AND ELECTORAL SEATS

NORTH ISLAND WILL GAIN. The census returns published in The Dominion last week disclosed the fact that during the poriodi 1911-16 tho population of tho North Island (exclusive of tlio military camps) had increased by 78,824,. and. of the South Island by 3329, making a total for Now Zealand of 82,153. The figures suggest at first glance that the North Island will bo entitled to at least four additional seats in the House of Representatives when the electoral .boundaries are adjusted by the Commissioners on tho basis of the new census returns. But calculation shows that the gain to the North Island! will probably be two seats only, while the South. Island will lose two seats. The population of the Dominion (exclusive of tho military camps) is set down as 1,090,617. The rural populalation, entitled to'the 28 per cent, country quota, constitutes about half the total population, and tho addition of this quota brings the nominal population (For electoral purposes) to 1,243,301. The electoral quota is ascertained by dividing the nominal population by tho number oE European seats (76). The quota is approximately 16,360. A further calculation having regard to the fact that the rural population is about equally divided between the Wo islands shows that the North Island is entitled to 43.94 seats, and the South Island to 82.05. The result may be stated thus: — North. South. Present representation (quota 15,280) 42 31 (equals 76) New representation (quota 16,360) 44 32 (equals 76) It is thought by people who have analysed the figures in detail that Clutha and Motueka are the constituencies that will disappear, and that one additional seat will go to Auckland and Suburbs. The other new seat is likely to go to the Auckland rural districts, after absorbing the excess of the Hawke's Bay and Taumarumii electorates.